THE GLOBAL COMMONS SURVEY

Attitudes to planetary stewardship and transformation among G20 countries About this survey

This survey was commissioned by the Global Commons Alliance with support from Earth4All and FAIRTRANS. The survey was conducted by Ipsos MORI. The work was funded by: ClimateWorks Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Oak Foundation, MAVA, Mistra (for FAIRTRANS), Porticus, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

Authors: Survey development Owen Gaffney, Global Commons Alliance, Ipsos MORI team: Bridget Williams, Ruth Stockholm Resilience Centre, Potsdam Institute Townend & Sophie Thompson for Climate Impact Research, Earth4All Zoe Tcholak-Antitch, Global Commons Alliance Contributors: Sophia Boehm, GCA Systems Change Lab Sophia Boehm, GCA Systems Change Lab Stephan Barthel, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stephan Barthel, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Gävle University & FAIRTRANS Gävle University (FAIRTRANS) Thomas Hahn, Stockholm Resilience Centre Tara Burke, We Mean Business & FAIRTRANS Sandrine Dixson Declève, Club of Rome Lisa Jacobson, Future Earth, GCA Earth Mike Fleisch, Global Commons Alliance Commission Owen Gaffney, Global Commons Alliance Kelly Levin, GCA Systems Change Lab Thomas Hahn, Stockholm Resilience Centre Diana Liverman, University of Arizona, GCA (FAIRTRANS) Earth Commission Lisa Jacobson, GCA Earth Commission Per Espen Stoknes, Norwegian Business School & Earth4All Tim Kelly, GCA EarthHQ Sophie Thompson, Ipsos MORI Kelly Levin, GCA Systems Change Lab Bridget Williams, Ipsos MORI Diana Liverman, University of Arizona, GCA Earth Commission Kristin Rechberger, Dynamic Planet Per Espen Stoknes, Norwegian Business School Zoe Tcholak-Antitch, Global Commons Alliance

All data open access and available on request: [email protected]

Data tables available at www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk. Slide deck at globalcommonsalliance.org

Suggested citation: Gaffney, O., Tcholak-Antitch, Z., et al. Global Commons Survey: Attitudes to planetary stewardship and transformation among G20 countries. Global Commons Alliance (2021)

For more information about the Global Commons Alliance, see: globalcommonsalliance.org

Published 17 August 2021 (v1.0) Global Commons Alliance Contents

●Forewords● 01

Executive summary 04

Introduction 06

Results 08

1). Shared values and identity 08

2). Awareness of the state of the global commons 10

3). Attitudes to planetary stewardship 13

4). Attitudes to transformation 15

5). COVID-19 is shaping attitudes to transformation 19

6). Attitudes to global citizenship 21

Country summary 24

Conclusion 31

Annex: survey questions and sampling methodology 33 Forewords

Instead, people in power seem to feel it is OK to fell old trees or destroy natural ecosystems for buildings or roads, or to dig up oil, so long as they then plant new trees. But this approach is not working, and the findings in this report show that many people no longer support such economic idiocy.

The more we interfere with nature, the more we are suffering dire consequences, and the more the people who have contributed the least to the destruction feel the brunt of its great injustice: our climate and ecological crisis. Elizabeth Wathuti, environmentalist and climate activist from Kenya, founder of Green Nature is hitting back, so it’s not surprising that Generation Initiative and head of campaigns at so many people now realise how close we are Wangari Maathai Foundation. coming to terrifying tipping points, or that they want to do more to protect nature. When I was younger, I witnessed deforestation first hand. The wild forests I liked to play in were If we want to keep global warming within the cut down. The streams I used to drink from Paris Agreement target of 1.5ºC it won’t be became flooded with plastic waste. The natural enough to reduce our emissions by half every world my friends and I knew as children changed decade until we get to net zero. We also need before our eyes. to regenerate nature, preserve every remaining natural ecosystem on the planet and give more Humans have been destroying the priceless space to nature. We need our leaders to really global commons for decades. Stories of lost understand this interconnection – between forests and poisoned rivers are not unique to climate and nature – and act accordingly on both my community, or even my country: they’re the climate and ecological crisis. something we all share. Thriving ecosystems are humanity’s life-support I’m determined to do something to stop this system. They are not disposable. Nor are they destruction, and I’m encouraged to know that easily renewed. They’re essential for human I am not alone. This survey shows the vast survival – and for our joy – and they must be left majority of people in the world’s wealthiest intact: preserved and protected. countries feel the same way I do – they are very worried about the state of the planet and want Today, children living where I grew up have to protect it. They want to become planetary never known streams without plastic. They’ve stewards. This should be a wake-up call to never played in an untouched forest. They want leaders everywhere. to know: “Who did this?”.

My work helping children to fall in love Those who prioritise the destruction of with nature so that they may learn to cherish nature – often for supposed profit – may claim and protect it keeps me going every day. It’s to be trapped in “the system”, driven by an uplifting feeling that I wish our world incentives outside of their control. But enough leaders shared. is enough. The injustice has become too great to endure any longer.

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 1 We have to change the system. We have to Several recent surveys have asked people about inform and support people in making that their own personal behaviour and response to change and help them see their part in a better the threat of climate change. These have shed future. These findings show that people are useful light on consumer attitudes, but few ready for that now. surveys have explored the systemic nature of the challenge, attitudes to transformation and views I’m not the only one who refuses to leave rivers on planetary stewardship. This survey attempts to of plastic sludge and concrete jungles to future capture: long-term values (based on what values generations. people think it is important to teach children), But we want help. We need leaders to act too. I attitudes to global cooperation and attitudes to hope this report empowers leaders everywhere a notion of global citizenship, for example. to start now. Based on this, who, then, are the emerging planetary stewards? They tend to be young (under 45), female, well-educated and urban. They tend to identify themselves as global citizens rather than having a very strong national identity. These are the people pushing for change. They are the warriors fighting hardest for our future.

Is our future nature positive and zero emissions? Judging from the results of the survey, this is the future people want. The vast majority of adults in G20 countries want to become better stewards of the planet. They want their governments to become better planetary stewards. They support the work of the United Nations to improve stewardship of the global commons. And they want governments to engage them more in this long-term vision. Owen Gaffney, Global Commons Alliance, The vast majority of people in G20 countries August 2021 want the economic system in their countries to When we sat down to design this survey we adopt “Wellbeing economics” - an approach to wanted to capture a moment in time: a specific build greater social and natural capital rather moment in the Anthropocene. We are at the than a myopic focus on growth of GDP. And start of a decisive decade. This is a planetary the vast majority of people across the G20 see emergency. We are in the midst of a pandemic. that the benefits of action to protect the global The global commons are at breaking point. commons outweigh the costs. Across the planet, are people concerned about However, despite the risk that over the next few the risks? Do people want to become better years hundreds of millions of people will face planetary stewards? Do people feel it is time to severe water scarcity; despite the risk that more adjust our economic priorities to support human people will experience heat and humidity that well-being and a resilient planet? today makes parts of the world uninhabitable; Spoiler alert: a definitive “Yes” to all of the above. and despite the evidence we are reaching mass extinction rates for life on Earth, awareness of

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 2 the scale of the societal transformation needed in the coming decade to stabilise the global commons is worryingly low.

The majority of people in G20 countries are aware that an energy transformation is needed in the next decade, but awareness of a system-wide transformation across all parts of the economy is less developed. Awareness of the challenges facing humanity tends to be lowest within the wealthiest economies. This should ring alarm bells. Perhaps people in these countries are more insulated through global trade from the physical reality of collapsing ecosystems and subsequent impacts on societies.

Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic is a transformative moment. It has changed behaviours and may have even nudged values and worldviews. The writer Arundhati Roy has described the pandemic as a portal between two worlds: before and after. The survey results indicate the world agrees. Within G20 countries, at least, people feel the pandemic is a transformative moment: there is no going back. It is a moment to build societies resilient to shock, to bring us back from the brink.

Finally, finally, I would like to thank the Ipsos MORI team, particularly Bridget Williams, Ruth Townend and Sophie Thompson, for their outstanding work on this project.

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 3 Executive summary

Is the world aware of the risks to our People in emerging economies indicate greater global commons – life on Earth, fresh willingness to do more to protect nature than air and climate, oceans, forests, ice those in advanced economies: Indonesia (95%), sheets, freshwater, and other processes South Africa (94%), China (93%), Mexico (93%), that keep Earth stable and resilient? and Brazil (91%), compared with Japan (61%), Germany (70%), the United States (74%) and Yes. Great Britain (77%).

Among G20 countries, 73% of people believe Are people aware of the scale of Earth is close to “tipping points” because of transformation required in the next human action. People in Indonesia (86%), decade to protect the climate and Turkey (85%), Brazil (83%), Mexico (78%) and other global commons? South Africa (76%) have a significantly higher awareness of the risk than people in the United No. While 59% of people in G20 countries States (60%), Japan (63%), Great Britain (65%) acknowledge that there is scientific consensus and Australia (66%). that rapid energy transition is needed in the next decade, just 8% of people are aware of consensus Across the G20, 58% of people are extremely on the need for sweeping societal changes over worried or very worried about the state of the that period to safeguard the global commons. global commons. Concern is highest in Turkey However, 28% of people are aware that scientists (79%), Mexico (77%), Brazil (74%), and India (70%). think that significant change is needed. Concern is lowest in Saudi Arabia (26%), Japan (44%), United States (45%), and Australia (46%). Do people want to transform economic systems to prioritise well-being and the Concern about the state of the global commons global commons over a singular focus today is at its highest level among: on economic growth? ƒ Women (62%) Yes. Among G20 countries, 74% of people ƒ Aged 25-34 (60%) support the idea that their country’s economic ƒ Educated to degree level or higher (61%) priorities move beyond profit and increasing ƒ Earn £45k+ (60%). wealth and focuses more on human well- ƒ Feel like a global citizen (68%). being and ecological protection. This view is ƒ Believe the benefits of protecting nature consistently high among all G20 countries. It outweigh the costs (67%). is particularly high in Indonesia (86%), Turkey (85%) and Russia (84%), but even the lowest- ƒ Believe there is scientific consensus that the scoring countries score highly: United States world needs widespread transformation in the (68%), Great Britain (69%), and Canada (69%). next decade (83%)

Do people want to become better Just 25% of people think governments should planetary stewards? Are people willing prioritise maximising jobs and profits even if this to do more to protect nature, the means harming nature. The proportion holding climate and all global commons? this view was consistently low across all G20 countries, apart from India where 50% of people Yes. The vast majority of people (83%) across agree with the statement that governments the G20 want to do more to protect and restore should prioritise jobs and profits. nature in future.

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 4 lack of facilities. Affordability is the number one barrier. Do people feel the benefits of action to protect the global commons outweigh What do the results from the Global the costs? Commons Survey mean for policymakers?

Yes: 69% of people believe the benefits of People want to be stewards of this planet we call action to protect the global commons outweigh home. It’s time to give them the tools to do so. the costs. This view is highest in Brazil (87%), The results from this survey show overwhelming Indonesia (85%) and China (82%). It is lowest support from the general public for policymakers in France (44%), Japan (53%) and the United to deliver the changes necessary for building States (60%). a nature-positive, zero emissions and equitable future for all. Is the pandemic a transformative moment for humanity? The findings should provide leaders with the confidence to move faster to implement policies Yes. Across the G20, three quarters (75%) of to regenerate our global commons. They should people agree that the pandemic has shown that also encourage governments and others to it is possible for people to transform behaviour embark on high-profile, high-impact public very rapidly; 71% of people agree the pandemic campaigns to help citizens better understand: recovery is a unique moment to build societies 1). how essential the global commons are to more resilient to future shocks. Most people healthy life and prosperous economies; agree that despite the pandemic, protecting 2). the speed and scale of transformation nature and the climate is still a priority. Just 26% required. This is beyond an energy transition: of people felt countries “have enough to worry it’s an everything transition; and about”. India, though, stands out with 56% of people feeling that the COVID-19 recovery means 3). the benefits the new policies will bring nature is a much lower priority. to everyday life: we will live in cities with low pollution; we will eat healthier diets; What are the barriers to action? our economies won’t run out of essential materials because everything recirculates People feel that the barriers to action to them and regenerates. personally becoming better planetary stewards are generally financial, lack of knowledge and

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 5 Introduction

A planetary emergency

The global commons – the natural resources we all share and use – are reaching a breaking point. In the northern summer of 2021, heatwaves and floods hit societies across the northern hemisphere so hard that scientists expressed alarm at their ferocity, scale and speed. Deathly heatwaves in western Canada and the United States and floods in China and Europe, for example, are already tracking worst-case scenarios predicted by complex climate models for later this century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s most recent report shows how close we are to breaching irreversible tipping points that represent existential threats to communities, cities and even some societies.

This, therefore, is the decade in which substantive policy changes must be forthcoming and the moment to act is now. Policy changes for this decade must simultaneously facilitate a rapid reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions In the survey, the global commons are defined (the net-zero economy by mid-century at the to include life on Earth, fresh air and climate, very latest) and the protection, restoration and oceans, forests, ice sheets, freshwater, and other regeneration of the natural world (the “nature processes that keep Earth stable and resilient. positive“ imperative). For simplicity we use the terms “nature” and The Global Commons Alliance (with partners “global commons” interchangeably. Earth4All and FAIRTRANS) commissioned The survey was carried out by Ipsos MORI in this survey to understand attitudes to the April and May 2021 – before the release of the state of the global commons and attitudes to IPCC’s sixth assessment report. It was conducted transformation among adults across the G20. Are across G20 countries with 19,735 people surveyed people concerned about the state of the global (plus an additional survey in Sweden published commons today? Are they worried about the separately). Interviews were conducted online. state in which we leave the global commons to In each country, the data is weighted to be our children and future generations? Are people representative of the national population. The aware that we are approaching tipping points on survey does not include weighting by population Earth? To what extent are people aware of the size due to large differences in population across social and economic transformations needed the G20 countries. Where results do not sum within the next decade or so to reduce risks to to 100, this may be due to computer rounding, the global commons? multiple responses or the exclusion of ‘Don’t know’ categories.

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 6 A note on planetary stewardship extent are these principles being met? To what extent do people feel connected to one another A foundation for the survey design was the work globally and trust one another to protect the of Elinor Ostrom and colleagues. Ostrom was global commons? Are the global commons awarded the Nobel Prize in economic sciences reflected in our long-term values – measured (formally called the Sveriges Riksbank Prize by the values we feel important to pass on in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred to our children? To this end, some questions Nobel) in 2009 for her work to understand how focused on: knowledge of the state of the people collectively manage common resources global commons, shared identity and values, sustainably. Ostrom and colleagues developed understanding the challenges of protecting principles that, if met, increase the likelihood and restoring nature and attitudes towards of effective stewardship of common resources. responsibility for the global commons. Some These principles include: questions focused on attitudes relating to 1). People who are using the resources need transformation. And some questions focused on well-defined boundaries. how the COVID-19 pandemic – a global shock – 2). Users need accurate information of the state has changed attitudes to transformation. In this of the resource and need to share a similar report we also include results from other recent view of how the resource operates and how surveys to provide a more complete picture of their actions affect it. attitudes.

3). Users need to be persuaded that the benefits G20 countries: of collective responsibility outweigh the costs. 4). High levels of trust among users are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, needed to reduce costs of sanctioning and France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, monitoring. Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United States, At a global level we are interested in whether (plus the European Union). planetary stewardship is emerging. To what

G20 Countries

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 7 Results

1). Shared values and identity

How important is it to teach our children about ƒ About one-third (34%) of people believe it is protection of the global commons including important to teach children to protect the climate? We asked people to identify up to five global commons including climate. most important values from a list of 12 including ƒ Protection of the global commons did not “protection of nature and climate”, “tolerance rank in the top three values across G20 and respect for others”, “religious faith”, countries. It ranked fourth in Argentina, 1 “independence”, “hard work” and “obedience”* France, Germany, India, Italy and Mexico.

1 This question was taken from a question used in the World Values Survey and extended to include nature and climate.

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries. Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 8 How important is global cooperation and protecting the global commons to people? ƒ 66% of people across G20 countries support ƒ 64% of people think international global cooperation to solve global challenges. organisations like the UN should be Support is highest in emerging economies: given more power to protect climate and China (81%), Brazil (77%), Turkey (76%), India nature. This view is particularly high in India (75%), South Africa (75%), and Indonesia (72%). (76%), China (75%) and Brazil (71%). But also Support is lowest in France (50%), Italy (53%) quite high in the lowest-scoring countries: and Japan (54%). United States (49%), Saudi Arabia (50%) and Canada (52%).

International organisations like the UN should be given more power to protect and restore nature at a global level

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries. Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 9 2). Awareness of the state of the global commons

We tested people’s awareness of the state of the ‡ Believe the benefits of protecting nature global commons. Are people concerned about outweigh the costs (67%) the current state of nature and climate, and the ‡ Agree there is a scientific consensus that future state? change in the next decade should be ƒ 58% of people are extremely worried or transformative, that is across many systems very worried about the state of the global – food, energy, manufacturing, etc. (83%). commons, which we all need to survive and ‡ Live in urban areas (59%). flourish. These include the climate, the ocean ƒ 73% of people believe Earth is close to and freshwater, the air we breathe, plants and “tipping points” because of human action. animals, forests and wetlands, the Arctic and People in Indonesia (86%), Turkey (85%), Antarctica. Concern is highest in Turkey (79%), Brazil (83%), Mexico (78%) and South Africa Mexico (77%), Brazil (74%), and India (70%). (76%) have a significantly higher awareness Concern is lowest in Saudi Arabia (26%), Japan of the risk than people in the United States (44%), United States (45%), and Australia (46%). (60%), Japan (63%), Great Britain (65%) and ƒ Those with the highest levels of concern Australia (66%). about the state of the global commons today ƒ 59% of people agree nature is already too tend to: damaged to continue meeting humans’ ‡ Be women (62%) needs in the long-term. Agreement is high ‡ Be aged 25-34 (60%) among people in Turkey (81%), Brazil (75%), ‡ Be educated to degree level or higher (61%) and India (75%), and low in the United States ‡ Earn £45k+ (60%) (34%), Canada (35%), Great Britain (42%), ‡ Identify more strongly as global citizens and Australia (43%). rather than national citizens (68%).

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries. Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 10 Ranked: Because of human activities, the Earth is close to ‘tipping points’ in nature where climate or nature may change suddenly, or may be more difficult to stabilize in future

Ranked: Nature can meet the needs of humans right now

Ranked: If people carry on as we are, nature will still be able to meet the needs of humans in the future

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries. Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 11 Ranked: Nature is already too damaged to continue meeting humans’ needs in the long-term

Agreement that the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the costs is lower in developed countries like France, Japan, Germany and the United States. Developed regions – North America, Europe and Japan – also have low trust that other people will use the global commons fairly, perhaps as these cultures tend to be more individualistic.

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries. Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 12 3). Attitudes to planetary stewardship

Do people want to do more to protect the action will not benefit people in their country global commons? Do people support greater in this time period). collaboration internationally? The answer to ƒ When presented with a list and asked to these questions is “Yes”. But the picture is mixed. choose which five were the most important ƒ The vast majority of people across the G20 to teach children, just one third across G20 want to do more to protect and restore nature countries believe it is important to teach in future (83%). Barriers to action at present children to protect nature. Countries such as are generally financial, lack of knowledge and Argentina, India, Mexico, France, Germany lack of facilities. and Italy rank teaching about protection ƒ People in emerging economies indicate of nature higher than other nations. But greater willingness to do more to protect teaching children about nature is not in any nature than those in advanced economies: country’s top three values. People who see Indonesia (95%), South Africa (94%), China themselves as global citizens rank teaching (93%), Mexico (93%), and Brazil (91%), children about nature higher than those compared with Japan (61%), Germany (70%) whose national identity is stronger (41% and the United States (74%). compared with 29%). ƒ 64% of people think international oganisations ƒ People are divided on whether people and like the United Nations should be given more nature are in opposition, or what is good for power to protect climate and nature. This people is bad for nature. 54% of people agree view is particularly high in India (76%), China what is good for people is often bad for nature. (75%) and Brazil (71%). The proportion holding This view is particularly pronounced in Russia this view is also high in the lowest scoring (74%), Brazil (66%), and Indonesia (65%). countries: United States (49%), Saudi Arabia ƒ 71% of people agree that when setting (50%) and Canada (52%). targets to protect nature and the climate, ƒ Just 24% of people believe that government these targets should be based on scientific action now to protect nature and climate knowledge. will benefit them in standard election cycles ƒ 34% of people would prefer to buy (3-5 years) (i.e. disagreed that government products and services that are good for the environment and based on science.

Willingness to do more to protect nature tends to be higher in the global south. It is lower in developed countries, with 1 in 10 across Europe, North America and Japan saying they do not want to do more to protect nature.

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries. Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 13 While financial constraints remain a top barrier across many countries, lack of facilities and not currently prioritising action are also notable barriers to those who would like to do more to protect and restore nature in future.

There are indications of support for science based targets, but division on how far their uptake would affect their purchasing choice. This may be as this is a newer issue. People are also more attracted to cities that protect nature.

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries. Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 14 4). Attitudes to transformation

The next 10 years have been described as a ten years? Do people acknowledge that the “decisive decade” for humanity. benefits outweigh the costs of action? Are people interested in adopting “well-being economies” To reduce risk of further large-scale that build social and natural capital? destabilisation of the climate and protect all global commons, emissions of carbon dioxide ƒ 59% of people know that there is scientific need to fall 50% by 2030 and land use needs consensus of a need for rapid energy to change from being a source of emissions transition in the next decade. to a sink of emissions, according to the most ƒ 41% of people are aware that scientists agree plausible emissions scenarios to limit global major transformation of the food system is average surface temperature to 1.5°C above pre- required including changing diets. Awareness industrial levels. This will require unprecedented is lowest in Indonesia (26%), Japan (30%) and transformations of all aspects of the economy: Mexico (30%). energy systems, food systems, manufacturing, ƒ Just 8% are aware of the scientific consensus transport and buildings. Economic solutions will on a need for sweeping societal changes include pricing goods and services to account in the next decade to safeguard the global for their environmental costs. Broader societal commons. However, overall 28% of people solutions, for example reducing economic are aware that scientists agree that significant inequality, are also important for driving the change is needed. scale of transformation required. Very high ƒ 69% of people believe the benefits of action levels of economic inequality tend to have a to protect the global commons outweigh the destabilizing effect on societies by reducing costs. This view is highest in Brazil (87%), trust and making it difficult for societies to act Indonesia (85%) and China (82%). It is lowest collectively to make long-term decisions. in France (44%), Japan (53%) and the United We tested views on transformation. Are people States (60%). aware of the scientific consensus that major transformational change is required in the next

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries. Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 15 Most people are aware of the scientific consensus of the need for change in 1-3 of the areas presented. Only around a quarter (28%) indicate an awareness of the consensus on a need for greater transformation. Just 8% indicate awareness of the consensus on major economic and social transformation.

Among those who want to do more in future, financial constraints, lack of knowledge and lack of facilities tend to be the greatest barriers to taking action to protect and restore nature at present.

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries. Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

These results complement recent Ipsos MORI make changes to their lifestyles in the next 12 surveys on attitudes to personal behavioural months. In the United States, 37% of people say change in 2021. Among those surveyed across they are likely to cut down on flying and driving, 30 markets, almost half (48%) say they would and 31% say they are likely to cut down on meat be prepared to cycle and walk more instead of consumption. In Brazil the likelihood is 43% for driving and 45% of people would be prepared to driving, 44% for flying and 40% for eating less reduce flying. 43% of people surveyed are likely meat. Furthermore, 65% of people across the 30 to reduce meat consumption and 51% of people markets agreed that if their government does surveyed are likely to do more to save electricity not act now to combat climate change then and water. Even in the United States and Brazil it will be failing the people of their country. a significant percentage of people are willing to

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 16 Economic transformation – beyond the growth paradigm

We tested views of people’s satisfaction with and ecological protection, that is, building the current economic systems, which tend social and natural capital. This view is to focus on the pursuit of economic growth. consistently high among all G20 countries. It Economic growth often comes at the expense is particularly high in Indonesia (86%), Turkey of human well-being and/or the environment (85%) and Russia (84%), but even the lowest- among G20 countries. Are people comfortable scoring countries score highly: United States with this approach or should governments (68%), Great Britain (69%), and Canada (69%). change their economic goals and adopt a “well- Just 25% of people think governments should being” approach that focuses on growth of prioritise maximising jobs and profits even if social and natural capital? this means harming nature. This is consistent ƒ 74% of people support the notion that across all G20 countries, apart from India where countries move beyond GDP and profit and 50% of people agree with the statement that focus more on human health and well-being governments should prioritise jobs and profits.

STATEMENT: the way [country]’s economy works should prioritise the health and wellbeing of people and nature rather than focusing solely on profit and increasing wealth in [country]

STATEMENT: [country]’s government should prioritise jobs and business profits in existing industries, even if this means some harm to nature

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries. Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 17 Media and transformation

ƒ 43% of people in G20 countries think the Supporting this result, 46% of people in G20 media communicates about nature and countries feel the media leaves them unclear what climate in a way that helps them understand they can do to support transformation. the issues. The aggregate figure hides a very There is clearly unmet demand for information large range of views across the G20. The to enable citizens to take action. Agreement that sentiment is highest in China where 74% the media leaves them unclear about what action of people feel media reporting helps them they can take is highest among the young (aged understand the issues. The lowest scores are under 35), those who feel more like global citizens found in Japan (25%), Australia and France and those who hold more ‘pro-environmental’ (each 32%), Turkey (33%), Argentina (34%) and attitudes i.e. those who are concerned about the the United States (35%). state of nature both today and in future, and those who believe the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the costs and those who are aware of a

need for transformation.

People in India are most likely to feel the media leaves them unclear on how to take action, although a similar proportion felt it helped them to understand environmental issues. China showed the highest support for media reporting.

In the main, the media in [country] report on issues In the main, the media in [country] report on of nature and climate change in ways that leave issues of nature and climate change in ways me unclear about what I can do to help that help me to understand these issues

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries. Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 18 5). COVID-19 is shaping attitudes to transformation

We tested views on whether the pandemic ƒ 75% of people agree that the pandemic has changed people’s awareness of how has shown that it is possible for people to interconnected societies have become and how transform behaviour very rapidly. the health of societies is related to the health ƒ 71% of people agree the pandemic recovery of nature. We also tested awareness of how fast is a unique moment to build societies more societies can transform when required. resilient to future shocks. ƒ 69% of people say they are more aware of ƒ Most people agree that despite the pandemic, how interconnected societies are because protecting nature and the climate is still a of the COVID-19 crisis. This is particularly priority. Just 26% of people felt countries pronounced in Turkey (85%), South Africa “have enough to worry about”. India, though, (82%), China (81%), and Saudi Arabia (80%). stands out with 56% of people feeling that the COVID-19 recovery means nature is a much lower priority.

The COVID-19 pandemic is largely seen as a positive event for enabling future change, having shown what is possible in response to a global emergency.

[Country]’s government should The COVID-19 pandemic is a unique The COVID-19 pandemic has shown communicate directly with people moment to transform societies how quickly people can change about restoring nature, in a way similar to be able to better deal with their behaviour in a crisis to how they have communicated ‘shocks’ (such as pandemics and about the COVID-19 pandemic other extreme events) in future

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries. Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 19 COVID-19 created awareness of how connected we are, although less so in France, the United States, Russia and Japan. In India – which has recently struggled with another wave – over half say COVID-19 is too serious a problem to talk about protecting nature.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made me more aware of People have enough to worry about with COVID-19 right how connected people are to others across the world now, this is not the time to be talking about restoring nature

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries. Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 20 6). Attitudes to global citizenship

We tested views on global citizenship versus ‡ have greater trust in others to act to national citizenship by asking participants where protect the global commons. 44% of those they fall on a scale between 1 and 10, with one who feel like global citizens agreed this end of the spectrum representing stronger this statement, compared with 36% among feelings of national identity and the other those who feel like national citizens. representing stronger feelings of global identity. ‡ believe the benefits of action to protect the We wanted to test the links between feelings global commons outweigh the costs. This towards global citizenship and attitudes to reaches 75% among those who feel like planetary stewardship. global citizens compared with 67% among ƒ 1 in 5 people surveyed have an affinity with those who feel like national citizens, a global citizenship. But views about being 8-point difference. a global citizen are mixed: an affinity with ‡ acknowledge Earth is approaching tipping global citizenship is highest in countries in points. There is a 10-point difference the global south. between those who feel more like global citizens and those who have a stronger ƒ National identity (as opposed to global national identity, with agreement at 80% identity) was strongest in China (54%), South among the former and 70% among the latter. Korea (51%), Canada (50%), Russia (49%) and ‡ support greater international cooperation the United States (45%). to solve global commons challenges. 4 in 5 ƒ People who feel most like global citizens tend (81%) of those who feel like global citizens to be more engaged in issues related to the support this view. This is 19 points higher global commons. They are more likely to: than those who feel like national citizens, ‡ worry about the state of the global although support is still strong amongst commons today and in the future. Of this group at 62%. those who feel like global citizens, 68% are ‡ be aware of the scientific consensus on the concerned about the state of nature today need for sweeping transformations needed and 70% about the state in which we will across all society is necessary to protect leave nature for future generations. This is the global commons. A third (33%) compared with 54% and 57% respectively of those who feel like global citizens are among those who feel closer to their aware of the need for significant national identity. transformation (in 4-7 areas presented) compared to 26% of those who feel like national citizens, a 7-point difference.

Attitudes to global citizenship are relevant to attitudes towards becoming more effective stewards of the planet.

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries: all who identify as national citizens (7,089), all who identify as global citizens (4,085). Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 21 Those who feel like global citizens are more worried about the state of nature than those who feel like national citizens.

About the state of nature today

About the state in which we will leave nature for future generations

Those who feel more like global citizens tend to be more concerned about nature’s ability to meet our needs in future and being close to earth’s tipping points.

Those who feel like global citizens are more aware of the scientific consensus on the need for major transformation across the areas presented. But they are just as aware as national citizensof the consensus on the need for change in our energy systems.

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries: all who identify as national citizens (7,089), all who identify as global citizens (4,085). Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 22 Those who feel like global citizens are more aware of the scientific consensus on a need for widespread major transformation than those who feel like national citizens.

While both groups support cooperation to tackle global challenges, those who feel like global citizens exhibit higher support for this.

On intergenerational values, across the G20 both groups believe the same top 3 values are important to teach children. But those who feel like global citizens rank protection of nature 4th.

Base: 19,735 online adults across 19 G20 countries: all who identify as national citizens (7,089), all who identify as global citizens (4,085). Source: Global Commons Alliance / Ipsos MORI

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 23 Country summary

ARGENTINA to action. Just 12% of people in Australia are aware 77% of people in Argentina recognise that Earth of the scale of the transformation required in the is close to tipping points. 68% are worried about next decade to protect the global commons. the state of nature today. 41% feel that if we 71% of people in Australia support a move towards continue as we are, nature will be able to meet a well-being economy that prioritises human well- human needs in the future. being and sustainable use of natural resources, 89% of people in Argentina are willing to do more rather than a singular focus on economic growth. to protect nature and the climate. 73% believe 54% feel the UN should be given more power to the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the protect the global commons. costs. 44% say affordability is the biggest barrier 70% of people in Australia believe the COVID-19 to action. Just 4% of people in Argentina are aware pandemic is a unique moment to transform of the scale of the transformation required in the societies to become more resilient to shocks. 63% next decade to protect the global commons. say the pandemic has made them more aware of 73% of people in Argentina support a move how connected people are across the world. towards a well-being economy that prioritises 32% of people in Australia feel the media report human well-being and sustainable use of natural on issues related to the global commons in a way resources, rather than a singular focus on that helps them understand the issues. economic growth. 59% feel the UN should be given more power to protect the global commons. BRAZIL 78% of people in Argentina believe the COVID-19 83% of people in Brazil recognise that Earth is pandemic is a unique moment to transform close to tipping points. 74% are worried about societies to become more resilient to shocks. 71% the state of nature today. 30% feel that if we say the pandemic has made them more aware of continue as we are, nature will be able to meet how connected people are across the world. human needs in the future.

34% of people in Argentina feel the media report 91% of people in Brazil are willing to do more on issues related to the global commons in a way to protect nature and the climate. 87% believe that helps them understand the issues. the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the costs. 41% say affordability is the biggest barrier AUSTRALIA to action. Just 5% of people in Brazil are aware of 66% of people in Australia recognise that Earth the scale of the transformation required in the is close to tipping points. 46% are worried about next decade to protect the global commons. the state of nature today. 26% feel that if we 78% of people in Brazil support a move towards a continue as we are, nature will be able to meet well-being economy that prioritises human well- human needs in the future. being and sustainable use of natural resources, 76% of people in Australia are willing to do more rather than a singular focus on economic growth. to protect nature and the climate. 70% believe 71% feel the UN should be given more power the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the to protect the global commons. costs. 37% say affordability is the biggest barrier

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 24 CHINA

78% of people in Brazil believe the COVID-19 74% of people in China recognise that Earth is pandemic is a unique moment to transform close to tipping points. 46% are worried about societies to become more resilient to shocks. 78% the state of nature today. 22% feel that if we say the pandemic has made them more aware of continue as we are, nature will be able to meet how connected people are across the world. human needs in the future.

45% of people in Brazil feel the media report on 93% of the Chinese public are willing to do more issues related to the global commons in a way to protect nature and the climate. 82% believe that helps them understand the issues. the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the costs. 43% say affordability is the biggest barrier CANADA to action. Just 8% of the Chinese public are aware of the scale of the transformation required in the 66% of people in Canada recognise that Earth is next decade to protect the global commons. close to tipping points. 52% are worried about the state of nature today. 21% feel that if we 70% of people in China support a move towards a continue as we are, nature will be able to meet well-being economy that prioritises human well- human needs in the future. being and sustainable use of natural resources, rather than a singular focus on economic growth. 79% of people in Canada are willing to do more 75% feel the UN should be given more power to to protect nature and the climate. 67% believe protect the global commons. the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the costs. 35% say affordability is the biggest barrier 76% of the Chinese public believe the COVID-19 to action. Just 13% of people in Canada are aware pandemic is a unique moment to transform of the scale of the transformation required in the societies to become more resilient to shocks. 81% next decade to protect the global commons. say the pandemic has made them more aware of how connected people are across the world. 69% of people in Canada support a move towards a well-being economy that prioritises human well- 74% of people in China feel the media report on being and sustainable use of natural resources, issues related to the global commons in a way rather than a singular focus on economic growth. that helps them understand the issues. 52% feel the UN should be given more power to protect the global commons. FRANCE

73% of people in Canada believe the COVID-19 72% of people in France recognise that Earth is pandemic is a unique moment to transform close to tipping points. 57% are worried about societies to become more resilient to shocks. 64% the state of nature today. 17% feel that if we say the pandemic has made them more aware of continue as we are, nature will be able to meet how connected people are across the world. human needs in the future.

35% of people in Canada feel the media report 75% of the French public are willing to do more on issues related to the global commons in a way to protect nature and the climate. 44% believe that helps them understand the issues. the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the costs. 12% say affordability is the biggest barrier to action. Just 8% of the French public are aware of the scale of the transformation required in the next decade to protect the global commons.

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 25 75% of people in France support a move towards a GREAT BRITAIN well-being economy that prioritises human well- 65% of the people of Great Britain recognise that being and sustainable use of natural resources, Earth is close to tipping points. 46% are worried rather than a singular focus on economic growth. about the state of nature today. 23% feel that 66% feel the UN should be given more power to if we continue as we are, nature will be able to protect the global commons. meet human needs in the future. 69% of the French public believe the COVID-19 77% of the British public are willing to do more pandemic is a unique moment to transform to protect nature and the climate. 65% believe societies to become more resilient to shocks. 49% the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the say the pandemic has made them more aware of costs. 34% say affordability is the biggest barrier how connected people are across the world. to action. Just 13% of the British public are aware 32% of people in France feel the media report on of the scale of the transformation required in the issues related to the global commons in a way next decade to protect the global commons. that helps them understand the issues. 69% of people in Great Britain support a move towards a well-being economy that prioritises GERMANY human well-being and sustainable use of natural 67% of people in Germany recognise that Earth resources, rather than a singular focus on is close to tipping points. 57% are worried about economic growth. 61% feel the UN should be the state of nature today. 19% feel that if we given more power to protect the global commons. continue as we are, nature will be able to meet human needs in the future. 70% of the British public believe the COVID-19 pandemic is a unique moment to transform 70% of people in Germany are willing to do more societies to become more resilient to shocks. 60% to protect nature and the climate. 58% believe say the pandemic has made them more aware of the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the how connected people are across the world. costs. 31% say affordability is the biggest barrier to action. Just 8% of Germans are aware of the 40% of the British public feel the media report scale of the transformation required in the next on issues related to the global commons in a way decade to protect the global commons. that helps them understand the issues.

73% of the German public support a move INDIA towards a well-being economy that prioritises 77% of the Indian public recognise that Earth is human well-being and sustainable use of natural close to tipping points. 70% are worried about resources, rather than a singular focus on the state of nature today. 50% feel that if we economic growth. 67% feel the UN should be continue as we are, nature will be able to meet given more power to protect the global commons. human needs in the future. 57% of people in Germany believe the COVID-19 90% of people in India are willing to do more pandemic is a unique moment to transform to protect nature and the climate. 78% believe societies to become more resilient to shocks. 63% the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the say the pandemic has made them more aware of costs. 35% say affordability is the biggest barrier how connected people are across the world. to action. Just 8% of people in India are aware of 50% of the German public feel the media report the scale of the transformation required in the on issues related to the global commons in a way next decade to protect the global commons. that helps them understand the issues.

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 26 77% of people in India support a move towards a ITALY well-being economy that prioritises human well- 79% of people in Italy recognise that Earth is being and sustainable use of natural resources, close to tipping points. 69% are worried about rather than a singular focus on economic growth. the state of nature today. 31% feel that if we 76% feel the UN should be given more power to continue as we are, nature will be able to meet protect the global commons. human needs in the future. 79% of people in India believe the COVID-19 86% of people in Italy are willing to do more to pandemic is a unique moment to transform protect nature and the climate. 67% believe the societies to become more resilient to shocks. 79% benefits of protecting nature outweigh the costs. say the pandemic has made them more aware of 33% say affordability is the biggest barrier to how connected people are across the world. action. Just 6% of people in Italy are aware of the 60% of people in India feel the media report on scale of the transformation required in the next issues related to the global commons in a way decade to protect the global commons. that helps them understand the issues. 77% of people in Italy support a move towards a well-being economy that prioritises human well- INDONESIA being and sustainable use of natural resources, 86% of people in Indonesia recognise that Earth rather than a singular focus on economic growth. is close to tipping points. 68% are worried about 73% feel the UN should be given more power to the state of nature today. 88% feel that if we protect the global commons. continue as we are, nature will be able to meet human needs in the future. 71% of people in Italy believe the COVID-19 pandemic is a unique moment to transform 95% of people in Indonesia are willing to do more societies to become more resilient to shocks. 69% to protect nature and the climate. 85% believe say the pandemic has made them more aware of the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the how connected people are across the world. costs. 24% say affordability is the biggest barrier to action. Just 7% of people in Indonesia are aware 40% of people in Italy feel the media report on of the scale of the transformation required in the issues related to the global commons in a way next decade to protect the global commons. that helps them understand the issues.

86% of people in Indonesia support a move JAPAN towards a well-being economy that prioritises 63% of the Japanese public recognise that Earth human well-being and sustainable use of natural is close to tipping points. 44% are worried about resources, rather than a singular focus on the state of nature today. 20% feel that if we economic growth. 67% feel the UN should be continue as we are, nature will be able to meet given more power to protect the global commons. human needs in the future. 76% of people in Indonesia believe the COVID-19 61% of the Japanese public are willing to do more pandemic is a unique moment to transform to protect nature and the climate. 53% believe societies to become more resilient to shocks. 78% the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the say the pandemic has made them more aware of costs. 31% say affordability is the biggest barrier how connected people are across the world. to action. Just 5% of the Japanese public are aware 49% of people in Indonesia feel the media report of the scale of the transformation required in the on issues related to the global commons in a way next decade to protect the global commons. that helps them understand the issues.

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 27 61% of the Japanese public support a move RUSSIA towards a well-being economy that prioritises 75% of people in Russia recognise that Earth is human well-being and sustainable use of natural close to tipping points. 57% are worried about resources, rather than a singular focus on the state of nature today. 23% feel that if we economic growth. 58% feel the UN should be continue as we are, nature will be able to meet given more power to protect the global commons. human needs in the future. 58% of the Japanese public believe the COVID-19 74% of people in Russia are willing to do more pandemic is a unique moment to transform to protect nature and the climate. 70% believe societies to become more resilient to shocks. 54% the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the say the pandemic has made them more aware of costs. 39% say affordability is the biggest barrier how connected people are across the world. to action. Just 4% of people in Russia are aware 25% of the Japanese public feel the media report of the scale of the transformation required in the on issues related to the global commons in a way next decade to protect the global commons. that helps them understand the issues. 84% of people in Russia support a move towards a MEXICO well-being economy that prioritises human well- being and sustainable use of natural resources, 78% of people in Mexico recognise that Earth is rather than a singular focus on economic growth. close to tipping points. 77% are worried about 62% feel the UN should be given more power to the state of nature today. 40% feel that if we protect the global commons. continue as we are, nature will be able to meet human needs in the future. 56% of people in Russia believe the COVID-19 pandemic is a unique moment to transform 93% of people in Mexico are willing to do more societies to become more resilient to shocks. 53% to protect nature and the climate. 74% believe say the pandemic has made them more aware of the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the how connected people are across the world. costs. 42% say affordability is the biggest barrier to action. Just 3% of people in Mexico are aware 39% of people in Russia feel the media report on of the scale of the transformation required in the issues related to the global commons in a way next decade to protect the global commons. that helps them understand the issues.

79% of people in Mexico support a move towards SAUDI ARABIA a well-being economy that prioritises human well- 72% of people in Saudi Arabia recognise that being and sustainable use of natural resources, Earth is close to tipping points. 26% are worried rather than a singular focus on economic growth. about the state of nature today. 37% feel that 70% feel the UN should be given more power to if we continue as we are, nature will be able to protect the global commons. meet human needs in the future. 77% of people in Mexico believe the COVID-19 85% of people in Saudi Arabia are willing to pandemic is a unique moment to transform do more to protect nature and the climate. societies to become more resilient to shocks. 76% 68% believe the benefits of protecting nature say the pandemic has made them more aware of outweigh the costs. 44% say affordability is how connected people are across the world. the biggest barrier to action. Just 3% of people 50% of people in Mexico feel the media report in Saudi Arabia are aware of the scale of the on issues related to the global commons in a way transformation required in the next decade to that helps them understand the issues. protect the global commons.

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 28 59% of people in Saudi Arabia support a move 47% of people in South Africa feel the media towards a well-being economy that prioritises report on issues related to the global commons human well-being and sustainable use of natural in a way that helps them understand the issues. resources, rather than a singular focus on economic growth. 50% feel the UN should be SOUTH KOREA given more power to protect the global commons. 73% of people in South Korea recognise that Earth is close to tipping points. 64% are worried 81% of people in Saudi Arabia believe the about the state of nature today. 20% feel that COVID-19 pandemic is a unique moment to if we continue as we are, nature will be able to transform societies to become more resilient to meet human needs in the future. shocks. 80% say the pandemic has made them more aware of how connected people are across 87% of people in South Korea are willing to the world. do more to protect nature and the climate. 74% believe the benefits of protecting nature 53% of people in Saudi Arabia feel the media outweigh the costs. 29% say affordability is report on issues related to the global commons the biggest barrier to action. Just 6% of people in a way that helps them understand the issues. in South Korea are aware of the scale of the SOUTH AFRICA transformation required in the next decade to protect the global commons. 76% of people in South Africa recognise that Earth is close to tipping points. 66% are worried 71% of people in South Korea support a move about the state of nature today. 28% feel that towards a well-being economy that prioritises if we continue as we are, nature will be able to human well-being and sustainable use of natural meet human needs in the future. resources, rather than a singular focus on economic growth. 60% feel the UN should be 94% of people in South Africa are willing to given more power to protect the global commons. do more to protect nature and the climate. 78% believe the benefits of protecting nature 68% of people in South Korea believe the outweigh the costs. 45% say affordability is COVID-19 pandemic is a unique moment to the biggest barrier to action. Just 11% of people transform societies to become more resilient to in South Africa are aware of the scale of the shocks. 71% say the pandemic has made them transformation required in the next decade to more aware of how connected people are across protect the global commons. the world.

78% of people in South Africa support a move 52% of people in South Korea feel the media towards a well-being economy that prioritises report on issues related to the global commons human well-being and sustainable use of natural in a way that helps them understand the issues. resources, rather than a singular focus on economic growth. 64% feel the UN should be TURKEY given more power to protect the global commons. 85% of the Turkish public recognise that Earth is close to tipping points. 79% are worried about 81% of people in South Africa believe the the state of nature today. 20% feel that if we COVID-19 pandemic is a unique moment to continue as we are, nature will be able to meet transform societies to become more resilient to human needs in the future. shocks. 82% say the pandemic has made them more aware of how connected people are across the world.

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 29 89% of the Turkish public are willing to do more 74% of people in the United States are willing to protect nature and the climate. 72% believe to do more to protect nature and the climate. the benefits of protecting nature outweigh the 60% believe the benefits of protecting nature costs. 40% say affordability is the biggest barrier outweigh the costs. 35% say affordability is the to action. Just 15% of the Turkish public are aware biggest barrier to action. Just 10% of people in of the scale of the transformation required in the the United States are aware of the scale of the next decade to protect the global commons. transformation required in the next decade to protect the global commons. 85% of the Turkish public support a move towards a well-being economy that prioritises human well- 68% of people in the United States support being and sustainable use of natural resources, a move towards a well-being economy that rather than a singular focus on economic growth. prioritises human well-being and sustainable use 76% feel the UN should be given more power to of natural resources, rather than a singular focus protect the global commons. on economic growth. 49% feel the UN should be given more power to protect the global commons. 74% of the Turkish public believe the COVID-19 pandemic is a unique moment to transform 64% of people in the United States believe the societies to become more resilient to shocks. 85% COVID-19 pandemic is a unique moment to say the pandemic has made them more aware of transform societies to become more resilient to how connected people are across the world. shocks. 53% say the pandemic has made them more aware of how connected people are across 33% of the Turkish public feel the media report the world. on issues related to the global commons in a way that helps them understand the issues. 35% of people in the United States feel the media report on issues related to the global commons UNITED STATES in a way that helps them understand the issues. 60% of people in the United States recognise that Earth is close to tipping points. 45% are worried about the state of nature today. 29% feel that if we continue as we are, nature will be able to meet human needs in the future.

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 30 Conclusion

Where next? What do the findings tell us? The ƒ However, regarding long-term values vast majority of people understand the risks and (measured by what people think is important want to do more. to teach children,) protection of climate and ƒ Concern about the state of the global nature does not score particularly highly. It will commons and willingness to act to protect be useful to track how this changes over time. and restore nature is apparent across the Conditions for planetary stewardship G20. What remains are to tackle the barriers to action that people perceive as stopping Revisiting the work of Nobel laureate Elinor them from acting now, and to raise awareness Ostrom mentioned in the introduction, of the immediacy of this issue. stewardship of common resources is more likely ƒ There is awareness of the consensus on to emerge if certain principles are in place. These the need for social transformation, but this include four principles explored to a limited awareness is somewhat limited in scope. extent in this survey: People want and need to know more about 1). People who are using natural resources need the extent of social transformations required well-defined boundaries and valid indicators over the next 10 years, and what this will of resource conditions. The survey results mean to them and their country. indicate that most people in G20 countries ƒ Awareness of the risks facing societies and (73%) are aware Earth has tipping points willingness to act to protect the global and that we are coming dangerously close commons is highest among these groups: to these tipping points as a result of human women, younger people, degree-educated, activity. They are also aware that most of the urban, those in emerging economies and those solutions to protect societies from exceeding who view themselves more as global citizens. planetary boundaries are known. ƒ Awareness and willingness to act is low 2). Users need accurate information of the among men, older people, people in rural state of the resource and need to share a areas, people holding more nationalistic similar view of how the resource operates identities and those in wealthy nations. and how their actions affect it. The survey results indicate that most people share ƒ There is strong support for international an accurate view of the state of the global cooperation when faced with global challenges, commons: human actions are causing severe such as protecting and restoring nature. degradation at a global scale. ƒ There is broad acknowledgement that the 3). Users need to be persuaded that the benefits task will be difficult and will take time, and of collective responsibility outweigh the support for a mix of local and global action to costs. The survey results indicate that most achieve these aims. people see that the benefits of collective ƒ Despite the hardship it has caused, the action outweigh the costs of action. COVID-19 pandemic is also seen as presenting 4). High levels of trust are needed to reduce a key opportunity for change that should be costs of sanctioning and monitoring. The harnessed. People have now seen the scale survey results indicate that trust levels are of action that can be taken across economies low. Among G20 countries, people tend not to in a time of crisis and feel that COVID-19 believe others can be trusted to act to protect has created a unique moment to transform the commons. Engendering greater trust, for societies to better deal with ‘shocks’ in future. example, through reducing inequality, may

reduce the costs of sanctioning.

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 31 Final remarks

All surveys have limitations and care must be taken in how we interpret data from any global survey of the general public. More work is needed to understand people’s motivations and biases. The Global Commons Alliance and FAIRTRANS are planning follow-up surveys for more detailed analysis of people’s attitudes to transformation.

Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 32 Annex

Survey questions SAMPLE: Survey of approx. 1000, adults aged 16-75 in each G20 country. Quotas on gender, age and region. Quotas on working status in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and South Korea.

ASK ALL Values

D1. How would you categorise the area in ASK ALL which you live? Q2. Here is a list of qualities that children can Please select one answer be encouraged to learn at home. Which, if any, 1). Urban area (inner city / town) do you consider to be especially important? Please choose up to five. 2). Semi-urban area (outskirts of a city / suburban area / small town) [Code up to five, rotate codes 1 to 12. Anchor 997 3). Rural area (areas other than towns or cities, to 999] such as the countryside, villages or farms) 1). Good manners [Explanatory framing sentences] 2). Independence 3). Hard work 4). Feeling of responsibility Shared identity 5). Imagination ASK ALL 6). Tolerance and respect for other people Q1. Thinking about the following statements, 7). Thrift, saving money and things where would you place yourself on the scales 8). Determination, perseverance below? Please place yourself on the scale, 9). Religious faith from 1 to 10, or you may choose any number in between or answer don’t know. 10). Not being selfish (unselfishness) 11). Obedience [Use horizontal slider – scale 1-10. Show 12). Protection of nature including climate statements at either side of the scale. Reverse statements and scales for half of participants] 997). None of these 998). Don’t know a). I support nations across the world working 999). Prefer not to say together to solve global challenges

[Label ends ‘agree strongly’ TO ‘disagree strongly’] Understanding of the challenges

998). Don’t know ASK ALL

b). I feel [nationality] not a global citizen TO I Q3. How worried, if at all, are you about the feel like a global citizen, not [nationality] following nowadays?

998). Don’t know [Rows, rotate]

1). The state of nature today (by ‘nature’ we mean the planet’s resources, which

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 33 humans all need to survive and flourish. [Rows] These include the climate, the ocean and 1). Nature can meet the needs of humans freshwater, the air we breathe, plants and right now animals, forests and wetlands, the Arctic and Antarctica) 2). If people carry on as we are, nature will still be able to meet the needs of humans in the 2). The state in which we will leave nature for future future generations (by ‘nature’ we mean the planet’s resources, which humans all need 3). Nature is already too damaged to continue to survive and flourish. These include the meeting humans’ needs in the long term climate, the ocean and freshwater, the air 4). Other people can be trusted to use nature in we breathe, plants and animals, forests and a way that is fair to the needs of everyone wetlands, the Arctic and Antarctica) 5). The benefits of taking action to protect nature are greater than any costs [Single code. Forward and reverse scale codes 1-5, anchor 998] 6). Because of human activities, the Earth is close to ‘tipping points’ in nature where climate or 1). Not at all worried nature may change suddenly, or may be more 2). Not very worried difficult to stabilise in the future 3). Somewhat worried 7). Things that threaten nature can be threats 4). Very worried to human health to

5). Extremely worried [Scale] 998). Don’t know 1). Strongly agree ASK ALL 2). Tend to agree Q4. To what extent, if at all, do you agree or 3). Neither agree nor disagree disagree with the following statements about 4). Tend to disagree nature and human needs? 5). Strongly disagree To remind you, ‘nature’ includes the planet’s 998). Don’t know resources, which we all need. These include the climate, the ocean and freshwater, the air we breathe, plants and animals, forests and wetlands, the Arctic and Antarctica. Attitudes towards responsibility for the global commons Nature helps meet human needs such as clean air to breathe, fresh water to drink, land to grow ASK ALL food. Nature also includes a stable climate that Q5. a. The protection and restoration of nature supports farming and human safety. A stable is something people can contribute to through climate and environment reduces risks from their own actions. To give just a few examples: extreme events such as flooding, drought and ƒ Travelling on foot, by bike or public heatwaves. transport instead of by car [Progressive grid, randomise rows, single code ƒ Using energy from renewable sources such per row, forward and reverse scale codes 1-5, as wind or solar energy anchor 998] ƒ Eating a diet of mostly plants, with little or no meat or dairy products

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 34 ƒ Voting for candidates or political parties that 7). I am unable to do more for another reason prioritise nature (please specify) [OTHER SPECIFY – WRITE IN] ƒ Choosing products that are produced with 997). None of the above consideration for nature 998). Don’t know ƒ Disposing of rubbish carefully and recycling where you can.

[New screen] Attitudes towards transformation

Which of these best describes how you ASK ALL personally feel? Q6. In which, if any, of the following areas To remind you, ‘nature’ includes the planet’s do you think scientists agree that major, resources, which we all need to survive and transformational change is needed in the next flourish. These include the climate, the ocean and 10 years to protect and restore nature? freshwater, the air we breathe, plants and animals, By ‘transformational change’ we mean we forests and wetlands, the Arctic and Antarctica. should do almost everything differently, or do [Single code. Forward and reverse codes 1 to 2, completely different things. anchor 998 to 999] [Multicode. Randomise 1-7. Anchor 998] 1). I want to do more to protect and restore 1). How the economy runs (e.g. the way goods nature in future and services are made, sold and used) 2). I do not want to do more to protect and 2). How unequal things are in [Nation] restore nature in future (e.g. the gap between rich and poor people) 998). Don’t know 3). Whether the cost of goods and services 999). Prefer not to say includes the cost of the damage they do [Ask if code 1 at Q5a] to nature 4). The balance between the use of fossil fuels Q5.b. You said you would like to do more to (coal, gas and oil) and renewable energy protect and restore nature. Which, if any, of the (sources like wind and solar power) for following are preventing you from doing more electricity, transport, heating and businesses to protect and restore nature at present? 5). What we eat and how it is produced [Multicode. Rotate statements 1-6. Anchor 7, 997 6). The values that guide how people, and 998] businesses and governments behave

1). I don’t know what else I can do, or how 7). The extent of flying and shipping, and to do this how these are powered (by fossil fuels or renewable energy) 2). I don’t have time to do more 997). None of these 3). I don’t have enough money to do more 998). Don’t know 4). I have to prioritise other things

5). I haven’t prioritised this up until now, but ASK ALL I am planning to Q7. To what extent, if at all, do you agree or 6). The facilities I would need to do more are disagree with the following statements? not available to me

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 35 [Progressive grid, randomise rows, single code reverse scale codes 1-5. Anchor 998] per row, forward and reverse scale codes 1-5 [Rows] anchor 998] 1). Targets for achieving the protection [Rows] and restoration of nature should be based 1). Decisions about nature that affect on science communities must involve the communities 2). When choosing between products or services, (e.g. regions, cities, towns/villages) they it makes no difference to me if the business will affect supplying these has set targets based on 2). International organisations like the United science to protect and restore nature Nations should be given more power to 3). In the main, the media in [Nation] report on protect and restore nature at a global level issues of nature and climate change in ways 3). The way [Nation]’s economy works should that help me to understand these issues prioritise the health and well-being of people 4). In the main, the media in [Nation] report and nature rather than focussing solely on on issues of nature and climate change in profit and increasing wealth in[Nation] ways that leave me unclear about what I 4). [Nation]’s government should prioritise jobs can do to help and business profits in existing industries, 5). People and nature are often in opposition – even if this means some harm to nature what is good for people is often bad for nature 5). Government action to protect and restore 6). It would take a huge amount of effort for nature will not benefit people in[Nation] in people to protect nature and make it more the short term (over the next 3-5 years) resilient for future generations 6). Most of the things we can do to protect and 7). When choosing where to live or where to restore nature are already known, but not visit, I would be more attracted to cities that yet put into practice work to protect nature than to cities that do not do this [Scale] [Scale] 1). Strongly agree 2). Tend to agree 1). Strongly agree 3). Neither agree nor disagree 2). Tend to agree 4). Tend to agree 3). Neither agree nor disagree 5). Strongly disagree 4). Tend to agree 998). Don’t know 5). Strongly disagree 998). Don’t know

Actions that support transformation The impact of COVID-19 on attitudes ASK ALL to transformation Q8. To what extent, if at all, do you agree or disagree with the following statements? ASK ALL Q9. To what extent, if at all, do you agree or [Progressive grid, reverse rows for half of disagree with the following statements? participants, single code per row, forward and

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 36 [Progressive grid, randomise rows, single code 4). [Nation]’s government should communicate per row, forward and reverse scale codes 1-5. directly with people about restoring Anchor 998] nature, in a way similar to how they have communicated about the COVID-19 pandemic [Rows] 5). The COVID-19 pandemic has made me 1). The COVID-19 pandemic is a unique moment more aware of how connected people are to to transform societies to be able to better others across the world deal with ‘shocks’ (such as pandemics and [Scale] other extreme events) in future 2). People have enough to worry about with 1). Strongly agree COVID-19 right now, this is not the time to 2). Tend to agree be talking about restoring nature 3). Neither agree nor disagree 3). The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how 4). Tend to agree quickly people can change their behaviour 5). Strongly disagree in a crisis 998). Don’t know

Sampling Methodology

SAMPLE LANGUAGE INTERVIEW COUNTRY METHOD AGE QUOTAS WEIGHTS SIZE CONDUCTED IN

Gender, age, region Gender, age, region Argentina Online 1000 18-55 Spanish (Argentinian) and working status and working status

Gender, age, region Gender, age, region Australia Online 1001 18-65 English and working status and working status

Gender, age, region Gender, age, region Brazil Online 1000 18-55 Portuguese and working status and working status

Gender, age, working Gender, age English or French Canada Online 1095 18-75 status, region, income and region (Canadian) & language

Gender, age, region Gender, age, region China Online 1000 18-50 Chinese and working status and working status

Gender, age Gender, age, region France Online 1092 16-75 French and region and working status

Gender and age Gender, age, region Germany Online 1097 16-75 German interlocked, region and working status

Gender interlocked Gender, age with age, social Great Britain Online 1096 16-75 English and region grade and working status; region

Gender, age, region Gender, age, region India Online 1000 18-45 English and working status and working status

Gender, age, region Gender, age, region Indonesia Online 1000 18-55 Indonesian and working status and working status

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 37 SAMPLE LANGUAGE INTERVIEW COUNTRY METHOD AGE QUOTAS WEIGHTS SIZE CONDUCTED IN

Gender, age Gender, age, region Italy Online 1096 16-70 Italian and region and working status

Gender, age, region Gender, age, region Japan Online 1000 18-65 Japanese and working status and working status

Gender, age, region Gender, age, region Mexico Online 1000 18-50 Spanish (Mexican) and working status and working status

Gender, age, working Gender, age status, region & Russia Online 1080 16-60 Russian and region gender interlocked with age

Gender, age, region Gender, age, region Saudi Arabia Online 1000 18-45 Arabic and working status and working status

Gender, age, region Gender, age, region South Africa Online 1000 18-50 English and working status and working status

Gender, age, region Gender, age, region South Korea Online 1000 18-55 Korean and working status and working status

Gender, age, working Gender, age status, region & Turkey Online 1078 16-60 Turkish and region gender interlocked with age

Gender, age, age interlocked with Gender, age United States Online 1100 18-75 gender, working English (US) and region status, income and region

The Global Commons Survey | Global Commons Alliance 38